On RMP, professors are scored on Clarity, Helpfulness, and Ease. Vijayan tends to score low on "Ease" (often a 1 or 2). Students complain that she assumes a high level of baseline knowledge. If you haven't done the reading, you will fail the class discussion. Some reviewers claim her expectations for written assignments are "vague" until grading happens.
A recurring theme in negative reviews is that some students feel she penalizes conservative or mainstream liberal viewpoints. One review (paraphrased from RMP archives) stated: "If you don't agree with her anti-interventionist stance, you will get a C." Others defend her, arguing that she is simply demanding rigorous evidence for counter-arguments, not punishing dissent. suchitra vijayan rate my professor
Students rave that Vijayan does not teach from a textbook. Instead, she teaches from experience. Having worked in conflict zones and reported on the ground in Kashmir, Iraq, and Afghanistan, she brings primary source material and gritty realism to the lecture hall. Positive reviewers note that "you aren't learning theory; you are learning how the world actually works." On RMP, professors are scored on Clarity, Helpfulness,